Youssef En-Nesyri scored the only goal of the game as Morocco beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in the second Group D match on Friday night.

Ivory Coast started the game on a high tempo and with just 38 seconds gone, Jonathan Kodjia had his header cleared off the line by Romain Saiss.

Other than that, Ivory Coast offered very little in attack. Nicolas Pepe was very quiet for most parts, Max Gradel was ineffective and Serge Aurier was struggling to keep with the pace of En-Nesyri. Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha was an unused substitute as he was carrying an injury.

Morocco had an opportunity to go ahead, En-Nesyri hiting the side netting after a lovely cross from Dirar.

24 minutes in, En-Nesyri finally found the back of the net after latching onto Amrabats pass. The 22 year old managed to stay on side and punished Ivory Coast’s poor marking with a composed finish past keeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

Relying on counter attacks, En-Nesyri nearly doubled the lead from Hakim Ziyech’s cross but his shot was saved by Sylvain Gbohouo.

Ivory Coast, could have pulled level almost immediately when Max Gradel was played through on goal. Yassine Bounou was quickly off his line to curtail the attack, the ball bouncing off his body in the Pepe who struck the ball wide.

Morocco have guaranteed themselves a place in the last 16 as they face South Africa in their next game on Monday July 1 while Ivory Coast tackle Namibia at the same time.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer